Utah was the unanimous selection from CBS Sports’ writers to win the Pac-12 championship in 2022.

A seven-man crew consisting of Dennis Dodd, Chip Patterson, Barrett Sallee, Shehan Jeyarajah, David Cobb, and Jerry Palm previewed the Pac-12 on Friday ahead of the new season. They offered bold predictions for the league, picks for the most overrated and underrated teams, and a predicted order of finish in the league. All seven had the Utes making the title game, and all seven have the Utes repeating as the champs.

Cobb wrote this on the Utes:

Oregon and USC have more elite talent than Utah, but the Ducks and Trojans are in their first season under new coaches and won’t overtake the dean of Pac-12 coaches in Kyle Whittingham. In his 18th season with the Utes, Whittingham has built a sustained winner that is coming off a Pac-12 title and has all the tools required for a repeat. With an excellent quarterback in Cameron Rising, loads of returning skill talent and a defense that is always fierce, Utah is an easy pick. 

Palmer was the only writer to not have Utah finishing with the best record in the league. He picked the Oregon Ducks to do so. Sallee and Cobb were the only other writers to have Oregon in the title game. The other four picked USC to make the title game and finish with the second-best record.

Dodd and Sallee also both see Utah making it to the College Football Playoff.

From Dodd’s bold prediction:

Utah will beat Florida, USC (twice) and San Diego State, win the Pac-12 and make the CFP.

And from Sallee’s:

Utah will stumble on a Thursday night at Washington State, but will rebound to win out and make the College Football Playoff.

The Utes went 10-4 last season, winning the Pac-12 by beating up on Oregon twice in three weeks, and making an appearance in the Rose Bowl. This season, they’re eyeing a spot in the CFP. They’ll have a great opportunity to solidify themselves as a legitimate contender right away.

Utah opens the season next Saturday against Florida on the road.